Shanda’s Pet Training

07/08/2024

07/08/2024

Toast D44651
Heeler mix
Neutered Male
4 years
42 lbs

Meet Toast, the spirited red Heeler mix with a heart as loyal as they come! With a striking coat that gleams in the sunlight and eyes full of intelligence, Toast is always ready for the next adventure. His eager-to-please nature means he's the first to learn new tricks and the last to leave your side, embodying the tenacious spirit of his breed. Whether herding in the backyard or cuddling on the couch, Toast's boundless energy and unwavering devotion make every moment unforgettable.

12/07/2024

Pooch Paddle Banner is up at Jester Park Pool!

10/07/2024

🐾🌞 Summer's here, and it's heating up! Here are some essential tips and tricks to help your dog beat the heat:

💦 Hydration: Always have fresh, cool water available, especially outdoors or after play.
🐕‍🦺 Limit Exercise: Walk and play in the cooler parts of the day. Protect paws from hot pavement.
🕶️ Shade and Airflow: Create shade with umbrellas or trees. Ensure good ventilation indoors.
🐾 Protect Paws: Avoid hot surfaces, use paw balm, and consider booties.
🚗 Avoid Hot Cars: Never leave your dog in a parked car.
🆒 Cooling Accessories: Use cooling mats, vests, or wet towels. Provide access to shallow water.
💈 Grooming Tips: Regular grooming helps. Avoid shaving too short.
🥵 Watch for Overheating: Look for panting, drooling, rapid heartbeat, or lethargy.

Remember, a little extra care goes a long way in keeping your dog safe and comfortable during the summer months. Share these tips with fellow dog lovers to ensure all our furry companions stay cool and happy! 🐶💦☀️

25/06/2024

🎆July 4th Safety Tips - Calming Tools🎆

There are many other ways to help keep a dog calm and relaxed during stressful events. Here are some other recommendations to help calm your dog!

🎇Compression Shirts
Compression clothing, such as the Thundershirt, can help some dogs by creating gentle pressure much like when you swaddle an infant. This can create feelings of well-being, though it doesn't always work for every dog.

🎇Thunderease Products
Thunderease products are powered by Adaptil, a product that uses a natural pheromone produced by nursing canine mothers. This can produce a relaxed state for many dogs who are experiencing fear or distress. It is available as a diffuser, a collar, and a spray.

🎇Happy Hoodies
A happy hoodie is a tube-like hat meant to cover your pup's ears and help alleviate discomfort and issues with high volume levels. If your pup is willing to wear a hat, this is an option to help muffle some of the unexpected loud noises that may occur during the celebrations.

🎇Lickimats
Did you know that licking can be soothing for your dog? When dogs lick, endorphins are released, creating a sense of safety and calm. If your pup is willing to eat, you can smear high-value treats such as peanut butter, cottage cheese, or yogurt onto a lickimat and offer it to them inside of their safe space. You can also freeze the lickimat to make it last longer!

🎇Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys come in all shapes and sizes and can be used to help keep your pet mentally engaged with something other than the trigger that is bringing them stress. You can also stuff a toy like a Kong for a similar licking effect that you get when using a lickimat, with a bit more challenge.

19/06/2024

With temperatures continuing to spike well into the weekend, it’s important to remember that our dogs are even more vulnerable to high temperatures, but how hot is too hot? 🥵

19/06/2024

FIREWORKS - PREPARE NOW - This article, on the AKC website (https://www.akc.org/.../how-to-keep-your-dog-calm-during.../) is pretty good, but I have a few recommendations.

Instead of CBD oil, I recommend, and have for many years, either Composure or Pet Naturals Calming Chews, made in Vermont.
These two products contain 1) the amino acid, L-theanine, which is a precursor to serotonin, a calming chemical, specifically, a neurotransmitter, which helps reduce anxiety; 2) colostrum; and 3) thiamine, aka Vitamin B1.

Please note: do not give your dog these chews if your dog is already on a medication, such as an SSRI, e.g., fluoxetine, which increases serotonin levels since the chews could increase serotonin levels to a dangerous level. Consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog any supplement, like these calming chews, especially if your dog is already on medication for anxiety.

Several years back, the FDA approved a drug called Sileo (https://www.zoetisus.com/products/petcare/sileo/...), specifically for noise aversion in dogs. There were reports of accidental overdosing due to the design of the syringe, and the manufacturer has now redesigned the syringe, so hopefully that hazard has been eliminated. (https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/update-fda-animal-drug-safety-communication-fda-provides-update-new-dosing-syringe-and-training)

Pressure wraps are another useful aid for reducing anxiety. The Original Anxiety Wrap (the only patented anxiety wrap) is no longer available in its original pattern and fabric. If you are purchasing a substitute to aid in anxiety reduction, you must look for a snug garment that covers the chest, shoulders, and rear end. Dogs hold tension in their rear ends like people hold it in their necks.

To avoid the pressure wrap becoming a predictor of an anxiety-producting event, place it on your dog when your dog is NOT under any stress before you start using it for anxiety reduction, and periodically put it on your dog thereafter when your dog is not stressed.

You should put the pressure wrap garment on your dog 30 or so minutes prior to the anxiety-producing event, and take it off 30 or so minutes after the event ends.

Generally, you should avoid talking to or touching your dog after you put on a pressure wrap. This stimulation usually increases cortisol levels.

However, your dog is an individual, and may benefit from a calm, soothing voice and very gentle touch. I had a client once whose dog could only be touched when the Original Anxiety Wrap was on, but this is not the standard use and procedure for using a pressure wrap.

As a rule of thumb, avoid touching or talking to your dog after you place a pressure wrap on your dog, but if your dog comes to you to seek reassurance after putting the wrap on, and touches you, you may very gently reciprocate and speak very quietly and calmly to your dog. Let your dog initiate the contact, though when using a pressure wrap.

These are the designs I have found recently on Amazon that look like they would be effective for anxiety reduction:

Kuoser Recovery Suit: https://www.amazon.com/Kuoser-Recovery.../dp/B08NCB3FXT (designed very similar to the Original Anxiety Wrap - but your dog will have to tolerate having a shirt put on over his head and legs put into leg holes in the front)
Pup Shield Surgical Recovery Suit: https://www.amazon.com/PupShield-Surgery.../dp/B0CRPQB8GN

SurgiSnuggly: https://www.amazon.com/SurgiSnuggly.../dp/B015QNG428... (I have seen this one is use and the dog I saw it used on acted like he had received a sedative. I also used it on my own dog with a similarly calming effect.)

Suitical Recovery Suit for Dogs: https://www.amazon.com/Suitical-Recovery.../dp/B00W2EHJWE...

SawMong Dog Recovery Suit (This one button/snaps down the back, so can be stepped into):https://www.amazon.com/SAWMONG-Recovery.../dp/B085ZLRQM1...

One more thing - Through a Dog's Ear Music has been renamed, iCalmPet. I have found this music, which is clinically proven to be effective, works to exert a calming effect on my own dogs as well as dogs in groups.

Cindy Ludwig, M.A., R.N., KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Owner, Canine Connection LLC

18/06/2024

Where it all begins, right👍🐾😊😉🥰

17/06/2024

The heat this week is going to be brutal!
Be sure to keep yourself and your dog hydrated and cool.

Plan short early morning or late evening walks and avoid walking or any strenuous exercise during the warmest part of the day.

Dogs cannot sweat the way we do so can overheat quickly! Especially susceptible will be the “smoosh faced” dogs such as pugs and pekinese but of course ALL dogs can suffer heat stroke.

Signs of heat stroke include, but are not limited to: agitation, heavy panting, restlessness, noisy breathing, drooling, weakness and/or collapsing or seizure. If you think your dog has overheated, seek veterinary care immediately!

During the high temperatures this week, plan to provide plenty of indoor activities such as feeding meals from food dispensing toys, playing fetch down a hallway or short set of stairs, play hide and seek with smelly treats so your dog uses his nose to scavenge, and provide plenty of chew toys to keep him busy.

I love having my dogs with me but this week, consider leaving your dog at home rather than bringing him with you on errands - heat builds to dangerous levels inside cars in less than ten minutes - he would so much rather be curled up on his bed or crated at home.

Finally, when you do choose to walk your dog, remember that asphalt heats to dangerous and painful to paws levels. If it’s too hot for you to hold your hand to, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on.

Stay cool and stay safe!

13/06/2024

With temperatures climbing here in the Northern Hemisphere, it's crucial to know the signs of heat stroke in our dogs.🔥🐶⁠
⁠
Prevention is key! 🌊 Make sure your dog has access to shade, plenty of fresh water, and avoid excessive exercise on overly hot days.⁠
⁠
If you suspect heat stroke, act quickly! Move your dog to a cool area, offer water, and seek immediate veterinary care.⁠
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Let's keep our dogs safe and ensure we all have have a cool and enjoyable summer! ☀️🐾

11/06/2024

We're getting into the hot part of the summer. So it's important to know what to do in an emergency.

11/06/2024

11/06/2024

Good to know!

04/06/2024

Fourth of July is just around the corner!

You should start thinking about your management plan for any fearful pets TODAY.

Don't wait until it's too late to help your pet feel more calm and confident during the festivities.

Here are some tips from our friends at Fear Free Happy Home.

21/05/2024

RECALLED bags were sold at Walmarts in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas. “…potential presence of loose metal pieces in the bag.”

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/05/20/pedigree-dog-food-bags-recall-metal/73778786007/

05/04/2024

Be safe this spring! 🌻

05/04/2024

A chemical used in Milk-Bones, Ol’Roy, Kibbles’n Bits, Hill’s Pet Food and other pet foods should no longer be considered safe for consumption due to concerns about its ability to damage DNA,🧬 according to a recent animal-model study.

According to the Environmental Working Group: “A scientific panel created by the European Food Safety Authority found that titanium dioxide “can no longer be considered as safe when used as a food additive.” The panel, citing concerns about titanium dioxide’s genotoxicity, or its ability to damage DNA, based its conclusion on a review of hundreds of scientific studies. EWG called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to quickly consider whether to ban titanium dioxide from use in food."

A chemical that may damage our pet's DNA should NOT be fed to pets.😡

Titanium dioxide has always been on our Dirty Dozen list of additives you need to avoid in your pet food and one of the many reasons why we created easy-to-make additive-free versions of these popular treats! And, of course, you’ll also find loads of toppers and balanced meal recipes for your beloveds - with no unsafe food additives in sight! foreverdoglife.com

04/04/2024

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in t

03/04/2024

Ahead of the April 8 total solar eclipse, pet owners are seeking advice on how to best protect their animal companions during this rare celestial occurrence.